Filling cylindrical tubes with a powdered material



Aug. 4, 1959 f "F A. J. DOUCHET FILLING CYLINDRICAL TUBES WITH A POWDERED MATERIAL Filed July 14, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /(n;nu4 19 5:1444 w 4 Fill.

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' FILLING CYLINDRICAL TUBES WITH A POWDERED MATERIAL Filed July 14, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ily Patented Aug. 4, 1959 FILLING CYLINDRIQAL TUBES WITH A POWDERED MATERIAL Florimond Aristide Jules Douchet, Paris, France, assignor to Societe Alsacienne de Constructions Mecan iques, Paris, France Application July 14, 1954, Serial No. 443,364

Claims priority, application France July 29, 1953 Claims. (Cl. 141-75) The present invention relates to a packing or tamping arrangement.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a tamping apparatus for tamping powdered material into a metallic sheathed cable composed of a central conductor and a sheath surrounding the same.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tamping arrangement which is capable of packing powdered material into the annular space formed between the central conductor and a sheath therefor of a metallic sheathed cable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tamping arrangement by means of which additional material to be tamped may be easily and automatically added.

The objects of the present invention also include the provision of a tamping or packing arrangement which is of very simple construction and incorporates very few parts so that the apparatus may be built, operated and maintained at very low cost.

With the above objects in view, the present invention mainly consists in that improvement in a packing or tamping apparatus which comprises a support, a tubular packing member having a free end face and mounted on the support for reciprocating movement relative thereto in axial direction between an operative position wherein the end face engages a material to be packed and an inoperative position spaced therefrom material supply means in communication with the packing member for conveying the material to be packed to the interior thereof, closure means operatively associated with the packing member for movement therewith while the latter moves between its operative and inoperative positions and for movement relative to the packing member between a closed position wherein the closure means closes the packing member in the region of the end face thereof and an open position spaced from the closed position, and operating means for holding the closure means in its open position when the packing member is in its inoperative position, for moving the closure means to its closed position during movement of the packing member from its inoperative position to an intermediate position intermediate the operative and inoperative positions, and for maintaining the closure means in its closed position during movement of the packing member from its intermediate position to its operative position and also while the packing member is in its operative position.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an assembly view of this apparatus;

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively sections of upper and lower portions of the apparatus on a larger scale; and

Figs. 4 to 8 are diagrammatic representations of various positions of the apparatus during operation thereof.

The distribution and compression element is constituted by a hollow tamper or packing element 3, the end of which is open and carries a seat 5 on which a valve 6 may bear. The valve 6 acts as a closure means for closing the tamper 3 in the region of its lowermost end face. The valve seat 5 thus constitutes the lower or free end of the tamper 3, and this free end when the tamper is axially reciprocated will engage and exert downward pressure upon a powdered material to be tamped or packed as will be further described.

The latter is carried by and movable with a control tube 4. Wings 7, associated with the valve 6, ensure the centering of the latter inside the hollow tamper, and the tamper and valve are arranged in the annular space formed between a tight tubular sheath 1 and by a central conductor 2 which together form a sheath and conductor assembly.

An eccentric actuator member 8 imparts to the tamper 3, 5, a reciprocating motion along the axis of the assembly. The tube 4 carrying the valve also carries a cross piece 9 which is pushed upwards by a spring 10 bearing on a stop 11 which is mounted on the hollow tamper 3 and held by a set screw 11a or the like. The cross piece 9 carries a pair of adjustable abutment screws 12 which are adapted to engage a stationary abutment 13 carried by the housing of the driving mechanism. The housing represents a supporting structure or support for the driving mechanism for the tamper 3 so that in this way the tamper is mounted on said support for reciprocating movement relative thereto in axial direction. As will be further seen below this movement is between an upper operative position wherein the lower or free end of the tamper engages and exerts downward pressure upon a material to be packed and an inoperative position in which the tamper is disengaged and spaced from the material.

As may be seen from Fig. l, the sheath and conductor assembly 1, 2 rests on a base or carrier 15 through a pedestal plate 22 and springs 21. The base itself is suspended from cables 23 which pass over pulleys 24 and are tensioned by counter-weights 16. The mass of these counter-weights is such that they tend to move the base upwards. This action is prevented by ratchet wheels 17 associated with the pulleys 24, so that when the base 15 is subjected to the thrust of the tamper 3 through the powdered material, the base can move downwardly during a downward stroke of the tamper. However, the pawls cooperating with the ratchet wheels prevent upward movement of the base.

' The sheath and conductor assembly 1, 2 is further held vertical by a guide 19. A motor 18 rotates the eccentric actuator member 8. Finally a tubing 20 makes it possible for the powdered material to be introduced into the hollow tamper 3.

The apparatus operates as follows:

Powdered material is introduced into the material supply tubing 20 which is in communication with the interior of the tamper 3. The material remains in the interior of this tamper as long as the valve 6 is urged against its seat 5 by the action of the spring 10. The rotation of the eccentric actuator member has the efiect of reciprocating the tamper 3, and Figs. 4 to 8 illustrate the various positions of the tamper 3 and the valve 6 during one cycle of operation.

Fig. 4 shows the tamper 3 in its lowermost operative position in which the bottom end face of the tamper is in engagement with a mass of powder that has just been tamped. Fig. 4 further shows the valve 6 in its closed position in which it closes this bottom end face of the tamper. When the tamper 3 is now moved upwardly,

the valve 6 will be carried along inasmuch as the spring 1t which is interposed between the ring 11 carried by the tamper 3 and the cross piece 9 carried by the tube 4 will continue to act in such a manner as to maintain the valve 6 in engagement with the valve seat 5. That is to say, the spring 10 will constantly urge the valve 6 into engagement with the valve seat irrespective of the axial position of the tamper 3, and Fig. 5 shows the tamper 3 in an intermediate position in which it is spaced from the operative position, i.e., in which the end face 5 is spaced from the mass of previously tamped powder. It will be seen that while the tamper is in its intermediate position, the valve 6 is still in its closed position.

As the tamper 3 continues its upward movement it will attain its topmost or inoperative position. The spring 10 will tend to continue to maintain the valve 6 in engagement with the valve seat 5. However, the arrangement of the parts is such that before the tamper 3 reaches its inoperative position, the cross piece 9 will, through the intermediary of the screws 12 (not shown in Figs. 4-8) have engaged the stationary abutment 13. Consequently, the cross piece 9, and of necessity the tube 4 and the valve 6, will be prevented from continuing their upward movement, so that once the cross piece 9 has engaged the stationary abutment 13, any further upward movement of the tamper 3 will compress the spring 10 but will not produce upward movement of the valve 6. This means that the valve seat 5 will move relative to and be raised off the valve 6 so that the valve 6 assumes its open position. This is illustrated in Fig. 6.

Upon continued reciprocation of the tamper 3, it will commence its downward movement until the Valve seat 5 reaches the valve 6. Thus, as soon as the tamper again reaches its intermediate position, the valve 6 will be closed (Fig. 7), and during continued downward movement of the tamper 3 from this intermediate position to the operative position shown in Fig. 8, the valve 6 will remain closed.

The above-described cycle is then repeated.

It will be understood that throughout that portion of the cycle during which the valve 6 is open, powdered material may pass from the interior of the tamper 3 through the bottom end thereof and into the assembly 1, 2. This will occur only when the tamper is in a position in which its bottom end is spaced from the powdered material in the assembly 1, 2, i.e., the above-described inoperative position, whereas when the tamper is in its operative position, Figs. 4 and 8, as well as travelling between its operative and inoperative positions, Figs. 5 and 7, the valve 6 is closed, thereby preventing the passage of material from the interior of the tamper 3. Moreover, when the valve 6 is closed, the tamper 3 and valve 6 together act as a solid tamper so that excellent tamping action can be obtained.

If desired, a vibrator device 14 may be provided on the base 15 for vibrating the same and consequently for vibrating the material to be packed in the assembly 1, 2 during operation of the apparatus.

During operation of the apparatus the downward face received by the tamper 3 is transmitted by the material to the pedestal plate 22 then through springs 21 suitable loaded, to the base 15. When this face is sufficient for overcoming the action of the counter-weights 16, the sheath and conductor assembly 1, 2 moves downwardly under the action of the tamper and becomes fixed in the position corresponding to the end of the run of the tamper 3 owing to the ratchet wheels 17.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to apparatus of the type described above. It is possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to use apparatus of the same type in which the rough 1, 2, is placed in an inclined or even a horizontal position. It is sufficient, then, to merely provide means for feeding the powdered material up to the valve 6. It

will be noted, also, that the invention is not limited to the case of a single conductor, the valve 6 being provided with 1. In a packing apparatus, in combination, a support;

a tubular packing member having a free end and mounted on said support for reciprocating movement relative thereto in axial direction between an operative position wherein said free end engages a material to be packed and an inoperative position spaced therefrom; a tubular central member arranged substantially concentrically within said packing member so that said members define an annular space therebetween; closure means on said central member and extending outwardly therefrom so as to be adapted to engage said packing member in the region of said free end thereof, said central member being mounted for movement with said packing member while the latter moves between said operative and inoperative positions thereof and for movement relative thereto in said axial direction between a closed position wherein said closure means engage said packing member in said region thereof and close the corresponding end of said annular space thereof and an open position spaced from said closed position; material supply means in communication with said annular space for conveying thereinto the material to be packed; and operating means for holding said central member in said open position thereof when said packing member is in said inoperative position thereof, for moving said central member to said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said inoperative position thereof to an intermediate position intermediate said operative and inoperative positions, and for maintaining said central member in said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said intermediate position thereof to said operative position thereof and also while said packing member is in said operative position thereof, said operating means including spring means connected to said packing member and to said central member for maintaining the latter in said closed position thereof, and stationary abutment means associated with the upper end of said tubular central member and adapted to be engaged by said central member while the same moves with said packing member during movement of the latter from said operative position thereof into said intermediate position thereof whereby said central member is moved from said closed position thereof into said open position thereof during movement of said packing member from said intermediate position thereof toward said inoperative position thereof.

2. In a packing apparatus, in combination, a support; a tubular packing member having a free end and mounted on said support for reciprocating movement relative thereto in axial direction between an operative position wherein said free end engages a material to be packed and an inoperative position spaced therefrom; a tubular central member arranged substantially concentrically within said packing member so that said members define an annular space therebetween; closure means on said central member and extending outwardly therefrom so as to be adapted to engage said packing member in the region of said free end thereof, said central member being mounted for movement with said packing member while the latter moves between said operative and inoperative positions thereof and for movement relative thereto in said axial direction between a closed position wherein said closure means engage said packing member in said region thereof and close the corresponding end of said annular space thereof, and an open position spaced from said closed position; material supply means in communication with said annular space for conveying thercinto the material to be packed; operating means for holding said central member in said open position thereof when said packing member is in said inoperative position thereof, for moving said central member to said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said inoperative position thereof to an intermediate position intermediate said operative and inoperative positions, and for maintaining said central member in said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said intermediate position thereof to said operative position thereof and also while said packing member is in said operative position thereof, said operating means including spring means connected to said packing member and to said central member for maintaining the latter in said closed position thereof, and stationary abutment means associated with the upper end of said tubular central member and adapted to be engaged by said central member While the same moves with said packing member during the retracting movement of the latter from said operative position thereof into said intermediate position thereof whereby said central member is moved from said closed position thereof into said open position thereof during the final portion of said retracting movement of said packing member from said intermediate position thereof toward said inoperative position thereof; and adjustable means elfective between said abutment means and said tubular central member for varying the extent of said final portion of said retracting movement.

3. In a packing apparatus, in combination, a support; a tubular packing member having a free end and mounted on said support for reciprocating movement relative thereto in axial direction between an operative position wherein said free end engages and exerts pressure upon a material to be packed and an inoperative position spaced therefrom; material supply means in communication with said packing member for conveying the material to be packed to the interior thereof; closure means arranged within said packing member for movement therewith while the latter moves between said operative and inoperative positions thereof and for movement relative thereto in said axial direction between a closed position wherein said closure means closes said packing member in the region of said free end thereof and an open position spaced from said closed position; operating means for holding said closure means in said open position thereof when said packing member is in said inoperative position thereof, for moving said closure means to said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said inoperative position thereof to an intermediate position intermediate said operative and inoperative positions, and for maintaining said closure means in said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said intermediate position thereof to said operative position thereof and also while said packing member is in said operative position thereof; carrier means for supporting a work piece to be packed in such a manner that the material to be packed in the work piece is engaged by said free end of said packing member after the same has moved from said inoperative position thereof to said operative position thereof; and mounting means for mounting said carrier means in such a manner that said carrier means may move relative to said support in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said packing member while the same moves from said inoperative position thereof toward said operative position thereof.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said mounting means yieldingly mount said carrier means so that the same may move in said direction when the material to be packed is engaged to a predetermined degree by said free end of said packing member.

5. In a packing apparatus, in combination, a support; a tubular packing member having a free end and mounted on said support for reciprocating movement relative thereto in axial direction between an operative position wherein said free end engages and exerts pressure upon a material to be packed and an inoperative position spaced therefrom; material supply means in communication with said packing member for conveying the material to be packed to the interior thereof; closure means arranged within said packing member for movement therewith while the latter moves between said operative and inoperative positions thereof and for movement relative thereto in said axial direction between a closed position wherein said closure means closes said packing member in the region of said free end thereof and an open position spaced from said closed position; operating means for holding said closure means in said open position thereof when said packing member is in said inoperative position thereof, for moving said closure means to said closed position thereof during movement of said pacing member from said inoperative position thereof to an intermediate position intermediate said operative and inoperative positions, and for maintaining said closure means in said closed position thereof during movement of said packing member from said intermediate position thereof to said operative position thereof and also while said packing member is in said operative position thereof; carrier means for supporting a work piece to be packed in such a manner that the material to be packed in the work piece is engaged by said end face of said packing member after the same has moved from said inoperative position thereof to said operative position thereof; mounting means for mounting said carrier means in such a manner that said carrier means may move relative to said support in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said packing member while the same moves from said inoperative position thereof toward said operative position thereof; and vibrator means on said carrier means for vibrating the same and consequently the material to be packed in the work piece during packing of the material by said packing member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 565,228 Richards Aug. 4, 1896 905,017 Storch et al. Nov. 24, 1908 1,618,459 Marsh Feb. 22, 1927 2,738,910 Clothier Mar. 20, 1956 

